Lewisburg Printing in Lewisburg, TN, has strengthened its UV printing capabilities with the addition of the Grafix Hi-Cure UV-curing system on a seven-color, 29×41″ sheetfed press. The new press will replace two existing 28×40″ machines and share the pressroom floor with 56″ and 73″ models.

“Our 56˝ press supports UV printing and coating, but not our 40˝ presses,” said Hale Hawkins, CEO. “In the past, when our customers wanted UV, we could print jobs that really fit better on a 40″ press on the large-format machine. It wasn’t the most competitive use of equipment.”

The new press at Lewisburg Printing features an interdeck UV curing system, chamber/anilox coater and extended delivery. The Grafix Hi-Cure system includes three interdeck UV modules with 500-watts-per-inch bulb lamps. Docking stations on three units enable the interdeck modules to be moved easily to other printing units without tools. At the back end of the press are three UV lamps of 500 watts per inch each.

The combination of interdeck and end-of-press curing offers great advantages. Inks are already cured before coating takes place.

Lewisburg Printing, a four-generation family-owned firm, specializes in high-end commercial printing, labels, top sheets for corrugated packaging and point-of-purchase displays. UV print and coating in the 29×41″ sheet size opens up numerous possibilities for different applications and substrates.

“We will have better flexibility to print top sheets for the corrugated industry,” Hawkins said. “Printing on plastics will open doors with some other customers.”